Frank Ohl raises funds for service contest

Neighbors | Natalie Scott.Students and teachers both came together to raise money for local families in need by participating in the Frank Ohl special service days. Shown, from left, (front) are Raelynn Haefke, Hailee Wright, Morgan Mullarkey; (middle) Trey Giannini, Rebecca Walker, Caiden Fairchild; (back) Micah Dukes, and Shelly Culp, a teacher at the school.

Neighbors | Natalie Scott.Michelle Johnston (left), a member of the Austintown Frank Ohl PTA, chaired the special services days with the assistance of Amy Sopko (right). They worked together and with the teachers at Frank Ohl Middle School to arrange and coordinate school-wide special service days.

Neighbors | Natalie Scott.Many students were excited to donate and participate in the special service days at Frank Ohl Middle School. Participating in the Pajama Day on Nov. 15 were, from left, (front) Shianne Cain, Megan Delmont, Jalaysha Carter, Cheyenne Lipe; (back) Jianna Gearo, Angel Owens (teacher), and Dasha Traylor.

Neighbors | Natalie Scott.Along with participating in the special service days, Frank Ohl also had a contest for which class could raise the most money to donate. The winners of this years contest we Cari Hornikel's fourth-grade class (shown). These students raised over $241 to donate to families in need in the Austintown community.

As the final part of the special services contest offered at Frank Ohl Middle School, students wore pajamas, bathrobes and slippers to school for a quarter donation.

The special services days were hosted in order to raise money for needy families in the Austintown area. For just a small donation a day, children were able to participate in such events as Crazy Hat Day, Fun Day, and more.

“School counselors started the service days a few years ago to help local families. They combine all the money raised and divide it among families they feel qualified,” said Michelle Johnston, this year’s chair for the event.

In addition to the various days at school, a contest was hosted between classes to see who could raise the most money. This year’s winner was Cari Hornikel’s fourth-grade class. Their combined total of all the service days this year was $241.

Overall, Frank Ohl Elementary School raised $2,347 for local families this holiday season. And $1,967 of that total was raised during the children’s coin collection for the special service days.